The Best Day Trips From Boston Massachusetts

Its location on the New England coast means Boston is one of the best places to live for people who need the occasional escape from city life. From charming Kennebunkport to the wooded Blue Hills Reservation, a day trip from the city is never more than a quick drive away. Here are some of the best and most accessible ways to spend a little time outside the capital of Massachusetts.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Blue Hills Reservation

Just a 20-minute drive from downtown Boston, the Blue Hills Reservation in Milton boasts 125mi (201km) of hiking trails through forests, hills and wetlands. The Skyline Trail is a popular choice for day hikes and can take anywhere from four to seven hours to complete.

Kennebunkport, Maine

Few New England destinations can match the charm of this gorgeous and historic seaside town in Maine. Kennebunkport is approximately 90 minutes from Boston by car, making it a great day-trip option. Visit this coastal gem for scenic views of the coast, seafood platters and plenty of shopping.

Cape Cod National Seashore

Stretching about 40mi (64km) along the coast, the Cape Cod National Seashore offers incredible views of the ocean, old lighthouses, cranberry bogs and marshes. Only about a two-hour drive from Boston, the area is especially popular with hikers and cyclists. If you’d like to make it more than just a day trip, we recommend booking one of these excellent Cape Cod hotels.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Approximately an hour’s drive from Boston, Portsmouth is a small New Hampshire port city with a ton of character. Craft breweries, vintage clothing stores and charming cafes and restaurants are in no short supply, with the Portsmouth Brewery and Liars Bench Beer and Bodega being two favorites.

Good Harbor Beach

Less than an hour’s drive from Boston, Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester offers smooth, white sand and beautiful Atlantic Ocean views. During low tide, it’s possible to walk out to Salt Island, a 5-acre (2ha) sandbar that’s popular with beachgoers and explorers.

Old Sturbridge Village

Old Sturbridge Village is a great choice for families. This historical village-living museum will give you a window into what life was like for New Englanders in the 1800s. It’s only an hour from Boston and hosts special events and re-enactments throughout the year.

Provincetown

This small coastal town is known for its thriving art scene, rich history and popularity among the LGBTQ community, and its population grows significantly in the summer – from 3,000 to 60,000. The drive takes approximately two hours from Boston in easy traffic, so you may want to consider staying the night.

Boston Harbor Islands

Six of the 34 islands off the coast of Boston are easily accessible by ferry from the Long Wharf North. Check out Peddocks Island for camping, Spectacle Island for hiking and Georges Island for exploring Fort Warren (a Civil War-era prison for Confederate soldiers).

About the author

Dave Afshar

Born and raised in (the safe suburbs of) Boston, Dave relocated to Tokyo in 2012 without telling any of his friends or relatives. Just a few short years later he found himself working for a major Japanese university, and his mom and dad eventually forgave him. He likes live music, nightlife, whiskey, and spicy food. He dislikes mayonnaise and slow walkers. Dave keeps a blog on his exploits in Japan at Yabatori.com. It is funny.